I have been on so many "diets" and programs throughout my life to lose weight and I just want to share with others one that really works and is relativly easy.It's the Dr.Phil diet.I do not have the books on my bookshelf because I will never part with them.It is an easy program and a lifestyle change that is not going to deprive you.I bought the book and companion back when it first came out and I won't even loan my copies out! I now have it down packed.There is a quick start program that will get you over your "humps" or start you out with a big ole loss! You CAN eat carbs! I just wanted to share this and maybe someone else will benefit from it.if you do get teh book make sure you read it all and not just the weight loss plan and menu part!!

I love Dr. Phil and I wish he had more weight loss shows than he does. I think the challenge he had the 1st season was a great motivator for many, many people. Like you I have his book. I have it in hardback and I also have it in paperback. I just got the cookbook but want to get his other book, the companion one as soon as I can.

I haven't lost any weight because of his book though. Not because it doesn't work but because I haven't worked the program as I should. Maybe it'll all sink in one of these days and I'll get rid of the weight once and for all.

I love Dr. Phil! But, another excellent book is THE CARBOHYDRATE ADDICT'S DIET: THE LIFE LONG SOLUTION TO YO-YO DIETING, by Rachael F. Heller. The book is geared toward helping you utilize carbs the right way, and not cutting them out completely. Great menu plans! Puts you in control of your eating and weight.

I second the Carbohydrate Addict's diet. It's on my shelf. It goes against most everything the women's magazines tell you about many small snacks that always seem to include crackers, but it works.

Here's the thing though: I take a medication that affects my metabolism too, and the diet that I actually stuck to is initially really annoying but works better than anything: no refined carbohydrates, no alcohol, no sugar. Period. If you stick to it for real you lose weight so fast your pants actually fall off one day. If you cheat a few days a week like I do, it slows down but you still lose it.

Switch to whole-grain (not multi-grain or "wheat" but anything that says whole-grain on the label) pasta, spelt bread, quinoa, spelt, and brown rice. Use them in any recipe where you would normally use rice, bread, pasta- you get the idea. Use fruit to sweeten oatmeal instead of sugar. No fruit juice - this is where Crystal Light saved my sanity. It's more of a lifestyle change than a actual diet, but you look better, your skin is clearer, you feel better, and nice things happen to your cholesterol level, waistline, and blood sugar.

Ok, I'll climb off the soapbox now :). Is what I wrote the cornerstone of Dr. Phil?

The diet that has worked the best for me is called the Weigh-Down diet by Gwen Shandlon. Essentially you can eat absolutely anything you want ~ ice cream for breakfast, a pastry for lunch, etc. BUT you can only eat when you are truly hungry, you have to find out how your body tells you this, not just wanting something to eat because you are watching TV, are bored, etc. AND you can only eat until you are full. Not over full, not oh my gosh I need Alka Seltzer full or have to let out my belt full, just comfortably full. Essentially it is a course in moderation. If anybody wants more info about this, let me know.